Sessay Church of England Primary School School Mini Prospectus Welcome to Sessay Church of England Primary School Growing together in Love and Learning CONTACT DETAILS The School Local Authority Sessay C.E.Primary School Northallerton Education Office Sessay County Hall Thirsk Northallerton North Yorkshire North Yorkshire OUR SCHOOL Sessay Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School YO7 3NA DL7 8AE was built in 1848. The school is situated at the end of the village, next to St Cuthbert’s Church, and is around 6 miles from the market Telephone: 01845 501239 Telephone:0845 034 9494 town of Thirsk. The school consists of a beautiful old building, which contains the school office, and four brand new classrooms. There is also a playground, school field and a special Early Years outdoor area which is accessible all year round. Co -Chair of Governors Vice-Chair of Governors Our school is a Church of England School with a distinctive ethos Louisa Carolyn & Judith Walburn Rev Liz Hassel and close links to the village church, which is right next door to the school. We aim to provide an exciting and stimulating place for our children to learn within a happy caring Christian community that will c/o Sessay Primary School c/o Sessay Primary School give our pupils a fantastic foundation for the rest of their lives. This brochure will provide you with lots of information about our school but we would be very pleased to For more information on our school and to see a copy of the full prospectus show you around so don’t hesitate to contact the please visit our website at: school to make an ap- pointment. http://sessay.n-yorks.sch.uk/ Regards, Fiona Bennett Headteacher School Mission Statement At Sessay School we are committed to providing an inclusive, stimulating education based upon Christian values by encouraging children to ask questions and develop enquiring and creative minds. We endeavour to establish a trusting relationship between children and staff, trying wherever possible to make school an ex- tension of home and the community within a sustainable environ- ment. School Values We are dedicated to providing a rich, high-quality learning environ- ment for all children based on the Christian values of the school’s foundation: • Challenge – never giving up The staff at Sessay Primary School aim for all children to achieve the best • Trust they can. Please tell us if there are any adjustments we need to make to help • Responsibility you support your child, for example: letters in large font; letters in different • Enjoyment languages; wheelchair access; explaining things over the phone; a discussion with a school colleague of the same gender. • Respect • Friendship If you would like this information in another language or format such as Braille, large print or audio, please ask us. Aby otrzymać te informacje w innym języku lub formacie, np. w alfabecie braj- la, w wersji STAFFING 2018/19 Behaviour Headteacher Miss F Bennett Our school is a safe and happy place in which to work and play. Mutual re- spect and consideration are encouraged from the start. All adults in school are keen to promote and maintain a positive atmosphere. Teachers Mrs K Tyrka We place great emphasis on positive behaviour, and children are rewarded Mrs K Bennison with praise, stickers, and house points to celebrate good behaviour. Weekly ‘Golden Rules’ awards are given out to each class, along with a termly Ms N Gauder Headteacher’s award and termly certificates. Mrs J Wells Mrs E Sowray Unacceptable behaviour is dealt with in school, initially by a member of staff. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and repeated Mrs Watson misbehaviour will result in sanctions such as missing break or withdrawal of privileges. Teaching Assistants Mrs S Joyce Parents are informed if a child’s behaviour is causing concern and is affecting the school environment. We believe it is vital that home and school work to- Mrs V Woodhead gether in these instances in order to support the child in managing his/ her be- haviour. Mrs D Marshall Mr M Houghton The school has a minimum set of positive, simple ‘Golden Rules’ which are our expectation for all children at all times. They are: Mrs T Harper Be gentle Mrs P Bentley Be kind and helpful Mrs E Day Work hard Look after property School Business Manager Mrs L Waite Listen to people Be honest Caretaker Building Cleaning Services With your support, we encourage children to behave appropriately at all times Cook Ms A Smith and remember what is expected of them. Catering Assistants Ms R Knowlson Midday Supervisors Mrs T Harper, Mrs J Gargett Mrs P Laycock, Mrs Gulliver Admission Number 15 Admissions Special Educational Needs (SEN) Starting school is a very important time for both you and your child. With your support we aim to make it a happy, smooth and rewarding experi- We aim to provide a caring and supportive environment in which all pu- ence. pils are valued equally, are supported in achieving their full potential, and have their individual needs met. All staff share a responsibility for sup- porting children with SEN and the school is committed to working closely with parents in supporting and meeting their child’s needs. In accordance with North Yorkshire’s policy, children can start school in September at the beginning of the academic year in which their fifth birth- day falls. Although children are not legally required to attend school until the term after their fifth birthday, most children start full time school in Some children arrive in school with specific needs already identified. In September. Should parents wish their child to start on a part-time basis, these instances school will work closely with the parents and any other or later than September, they should contact the school office. The maxi- agencies already involved in order to meet the child’s needs. mum number of children who can be admitted into one school year is 15. On other occasions specific needs may be identified as a child moves Parents who wish to register their children with Sessay CE Primary through school. If a class teacher or other member of staff identifies a School should fill in a preference form (available from school, pre-school child who does not appear to be making good progress, the class teach- settings or online at www.northyorks.gov.uk), which should be forwarded er will initiate action to establish what the child needs at this stage. Pro- to the LA. For admissions at other times of the school year please contact vision is then made as part of the normal work of the class. This may the Admissions Office on 01609 534963/ 536802. involve adapting resources or giving additional support within class. The child’s learning will be carefully monitored and progress reviewed by par- ents and the class teacher. If there is still concern, additional advice and support will be sought through the area Educational Psychologist or the We feel that the time before your child starts school is a good opportunity for us to get to know them. They will be invited to spend some informal Enhanced Mainstream Schools. sessions in school with their class and their teacher in order to familiarise themselves with their new friends and the school environment. An Open Day is also held during the Summer term. In accordance with the Code of Practice for SEN all pupils with SEN are recorded on the SEN register through the SIMS system, and this infor- mation is submitted to the LA and DFE in accordance with their require- ments. A meeting for parents of new reception children takes place in the Sum- mer term so that everyone has all the information they need, and any questions can be raised. We have good links with the local pre-school settings, and the reception class staff visit these settings so they can see Foundation curriculum subjects GENERAL INFORMATION Times of the school day Children are also taught the subjects of Design & Technology, Computing, History, Geography, Art, Music, PE and Religious Education. 8:40am Children start to arrive at school 8.45am Start of the school day Teaching is planned to make these subjects as relevant and interesting as 8.50am Registration (children arriving after this time possible, and children develop skills as well as knowledge across all subject areas. The curriculum is usually delivered through a topic or ‘theme’ ap- are marked late) proach, with books, resources, artefacts and first-hand experience to enhance the learning experience. 10:30-10:45am Morning break 12-1pm Lunch Collective Worship 2.30:2.45pm Afternoon break (Byland Class) 3:15pm End of school day In line with statutory requirements our school provides a daily act of Col- lective Worship of a broadly Christian character. This is done through a combi- nation of whole-school and Key Stage assemblies. Collective Worship is an opportunity for the children to join together for a time of peace and spiritual re- In the interest of safety children should not be on school premisies be- flection, and may include music, stories, poetry and other themes that are rele- fore 8:40am as there is no supervision by school staff vant to the ages, understanding and experiences of our children. Collective Worship takes place in school or in St Cuthbert’s Church (and occasionally out- doors!), and is led by staff, visitors and groups of children. We also celebrate major Christian festivals through the year. As with Religious Education, parents have the right to withdraw their children from daily Collective Worship.